Accused student in Peania shooting freed from custody until trial

The young Greek veterinary student accused of shooting an Albanian burglar has been released from custody pending his trial. He stands accused of committing murder in the heat of passion.

Dimokratia News has named the student as Nikos Davaris, who they applaud as the "little hero." Supporters of the 24-year-old student cheered as the Court of Evelpidon announced he would be released while he awaits trial. GR Reporter reported his release was the "unanimous decision of the prosecutor and the examining judge."

The student's lawyer Alexandros Alexandrakis has said the student is in shock and repents the accidental death of the burglar, stressing he did not intend to kill anyone. Alexandrakis told the press that "both the examining judge and the prosecutor realized that the defendant was a man of honor, completely harmless to his surrounding environment whatsoever, and carefully examined the attenuating circumstances and evidence of the case before reaching a decision."

Digital Journal reported the events which led to the student's arrest. During the early hours of Thursday morning Albanian burglars broke into the student's home and threatened his mother at knife-point. The gang, who broke into three houses that night, were chased by local men including the student who shot one of the burglars when his hunting rifle accidentally discharged when he tripped. The burglar died instantly.

According to Ta Nea local residents of Peania, which has been plagued with a "tremendous upsurge in crime" feel that the student is the real victim of the case.